Canadian Film Weekly (Jun 23, 1943)

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Vol. 8, No. 26

TORONTO, JUNE 23, 1948

$2.00 Per Annum

Theatre Safety Al in Ontario

Silverthorne, Film Bureau Head,
Praises Vigilance, War Effort

Ontario motion picture theatre operators and the in-
dustry in general won the praise of O. J. Silverthorne,
chairman of the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau, in his an-
nual report, made this year to the Hon. A. St. Clair Gordon,
____CCCCOC ne

Sunday Soldier
Shows Carry On

Sunday shows for men and
women in the services, which take
place in Halifax, ‘Toronto, Vic-
toria and Prince Rupert through
the courtesy of Famous Players,
are considered a success by the
military authorities and will be
continued.

After a series of them, the mat-
ter came up for review at a meet-
ing in Toronto on Monday, June

(Continued on Page 3)

Ottawa Vandals

@ Worry Managers

The increase of vandalism in
Ottawa theatres occupied most of
the discussion at last week’s meet-
ing of the Ottawa Motion Picture
Theatre Managers’ Association in
the Chateau Laurier. A wave of
vandalism in the past month re-
sulted in costly damage to equip-
ment and property.

The managers told of expensive

(Continued on Page 4)

Walker Gets Another

Malcolm EH. Walker, Maritimes
operator, has acquired the Majes-
tic, Shubenacadie, N.S., and re-
named it the Roxy.

St. John's ‘Council
Approves New House

The Municipal Council of St.
John’s, Newfoundland, has ap-
proved of the plans for the build-
ing of a new theatre to be called
“The Northland.” It is to be of
entire concrete construction, 156
ft. long by 70 ft. wide and approx!i-
mately 40 feet high and will have
seating accommodation on the
ground floor for about one thous-
and. There will also be a balcony
and a stage. The estimated cost
of the building is $130,000.

| Esquire Films

Presents Report

» ei

0. J. SILVERTHORNE

Chairman of the Ontario Mo-
tion Picture Bureau, whose an-
nual report stated that safety
and fire prevention in the thea-
tres of the province had reached
a high state of efficiency.

Barnes & Davidson

Pete Barnes and Lou Davidson
have acquired the Esquire Theatre,
Southampton, Ontario, from J. A.
Greatheart. The house seats 350.

K.-W. Helps Greece

The Lyric and Capitol theatres
in the Kitchener-Waterloo district
co-operated with local merchants
in contributing a forceful full-page
ad to the Greek War Relief fund.
The ad appeared in the Kitchener
Daily Record.

provincial treasurer. As
guardian of Ontario’s finances
Mr. Gordon, who succeeded
Mitchell Hepburn to the post,

has jurisdiction over the bureau,
which concerns itself with censor-
ship and theatre inspection. On-
tarlo, the most populated prov-
ince, contains more than one-
third of the Dominion’s theatres.

Pointing out that the difficulties
of theatre operation had increased

(Continued on Page 2)

Assure Consideration
By Selective Service

The discussion last week be-
tween Arthur MacNamara, direc-
tor of Selective Service, and rep-
resentatives of the distributors
yielded assurances that key men
would receive proper consideration
in whatever individual cases asked.
Leo Devaney and Dave Coplan
spoke for the distributors.

Holiday Switch
Tangles Plans

Bookers and theatre managers
were “caught in the switches”
when Ottawa issued an order-in-
council proclaiming Thursday, July
ist, as Dominion Day for the dura-
tion of the war, instead of the first
Monday in July on which it has
always been observed. Ottawa’s
tardiness in issuing the informa-
tion drew criticism.

The bookers were caught with

(Continued on Page 4)

Farrow Debated
In Parliament

John Farrow, famed Hollywood
director of British origin and
formerly a Heutenant in the Royal
Canadian Navy, was the silent
star of part of the recent debate
in the House of Commons on naval
matters. The debate was largely
between Thomas L. Church, vet-
eran Conservative member from
Toronto, and the Hon. Angus L.

(Continued on Page 6)

Universal to Offer
Ace Summer List

Universal will not hoard its top product during the
summer but will let exhibitors have its newest and biggest
features in regular order, it has been announced by William
A. Scully, general sales manager. He made the news known
Ch CO Or rr SO

"Mission to Moscow’
Debated on CBC

Warner Brothers “Mission to
Moscow” was debated yesterday
over CBC on a coast-to-coast
hookup between John Davidson,
lecturer, R. S. Lambert, CBC, and
John Collingwood Reade, military
analyst of the Toronto Globe and
Mail.

“MOTHER RILEY JOINS UP.” A definite brand of comedy the patrons are waiting for,

after working out plans with
Nate Blumberg, president,
and Cliff Work, general man-
ager.

The Universal Hneup to be re-
leased during the hot weather
season Js made up of top produc-
tions featuring outs.anding box-
office stars.

Included in the Ust will be
Howard Hawks’ “Corvette K-225,”

(Continued on Page 3)

will soon introduce to Canadian audiences a new comedy star in ARTHUR LUCAN, Eng-
land’s right-at-the-top comedian, in the first of the “OLD MOTHER RILEY” series, entitled

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Vol. 8, No. 26

Address all communications—Tho Managing Editor,
Canadian Film Weekly, 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada.

Published by Film Publications of Canada, Ltd., 25 Dundas Square, Toronto, Ont.,
Canada: Phone ADelaide 4317. Price 5 cents each or $2.00 per year.

Entered as Second Class Matter

Their Contribution

The possible effect of the manpower regulations on
successful theatre operation has interested many outside
the industry. Those who value the theatre’s place in the
war effort, among them many newspaper editors and
publishers, have expressed concern and this has yielded
quite a few praiseworthy editorials on the subject. Though
the industry has made no claim for blanket essenticlity,
many feel that it should. But industry representatives are
quite satisfied with the assurance of reasonable considera-
tion where and when needed.

The Hamilton, Ontario, Spectator, in a recent issue
commented editorially on the contribution of the theatre

and the uncertainty of efficient future operation. Headed
“Their Contribution,” the editorial reads:
Among those who are contributing generously to the

country’s war effort are the motion-picture theatres and their
staffs. It is doubtful, however, that the general public always
appreciates the extent of their services in this connection. When
worthy war-time causes are being launched, when national meas-
ures are introduced and the Government desires to widen its
appeals to the people, these theatres are often asked to place
their prenrses and equipment at the disposal of officials. Similar
requests are made with respect to amateur shows, kiddies’ enter-
tainments, Sunday concerts, patriotic drives and other com-
munity projects. Seldom do the managers and their staffs fail to
respond heartily. As builders of morale the motion-picture thea-
tres of Canada are playing an important part.

They often do so, however, under extreme difficulties because
the impacts of this war are touching them, too. The demands of
man power have disrupted their organizations in many instances
and it is becoming harder for them to renew: their equipment.
Theatre properties are usually on costly sites and as a conse-
quence they bear heavy municipal taxes, apart from the sub-
stantial provincial and federal levies which are also imposed upon
them.

Mr. George Stroud, manager of the Palace Theatre, voices
the general sentiment of his associates when he says that the
theatre men are glad to help strengthen war-time morale and
support worthy causes. But it would make conditions easler for
them if motion-picture theatres were recognized as an essential
industry and given a higher priority in labour. The public should
also not overlook the war-time contribution of the theatres, which
is a valuable one in these times.

He te oe

Says Mr. Roosevelt:

To the National Conference of Entertainment Industry
for War Activities in session in New York City came a
telegram from President Roosevelt which will be gratifying
to theatre men everywhere.

Wrote the president:

“It is a pleasure to send you this assurance of my heartfelt
appreciation of all you are doing in the field of entertainment to
support and advance the war effort. Entertainment is always a
national asset. Invaluable in time of peace, it is indispensable in
wartime. By co-ordinating the activities of all those who are
working in the entertainment industry you are building and main-
taining national morale both on the battle front and on the home
front. You are doing a grand job and I trust you will not weary
of this good work until our enemies are brought to their knees in

unconditional] surrender.”

Canadian FILM WEEKLY

June 28, 19487
HYE BOSSIN, Managing Editor

Ontario

June 28, 1948

Theatre

Saiety Tops

(Continued from Page 1)

greatly since the war because of
the labor shortage and unprece-
dented vandalism, the chairman
reported that exhibitors had con-
tinued to provide regular enter-
tainment in safe and comfortable
surroundings. Film delivery ser-
vices and the distributors were
commended for the manner in
which they helped rural theatres
continue scheduled showings
throughout the unusually severe
winter.

The motion picture industry,
Mr. Silverthorne stated, had meas-
ured up splendidly to existing re-
quirements “and is continuing to
make a unique and important con-
tribution to the task of winning
the war.’”’ He considered that this
year’s report, which covered the
fiscal year ended March 3ist, was
the most favorable in a decade.

Of 2,390 films submitted for in-
spection, more than 100 fewer than
last year, 104 were altered. But
three feature subjects of the
total, which is made up of 16 and
35 mm. films, were rejected and a
fourth was allowed after 28 elimi-
nations had been made. These four
productions were British “B” of-
ferings, known by all theatre men
to have, according to North Amer-
ican standards, a high content of
censorable material.

The number of 35 mm. films
offered, according to the countries
of origin, were: United States,
1,874; Great Britain, 60; Canada,
10; Russia, 16. There were 76
films altered during the period, 60
of which were American and 16
British.

Much of Mr. Silverthorne’s re-
port was devoted to safety and fire
prevention in theatres and halls,
matters of wide interest since sev-
eral tragic fires drew the attention

of the public to them. As proof of
the vigilance of the Theatre In-
spection wing of the bureau, it was
pointed out that of 2,000,000 peo-
ple who attend places of amuse-
ment weekly, there have been no
deaths and no accidents. Ontario
theatres, manned by staffs kept
aware of safety methods by the
bureau and the industry, can be
emptied in an inconceivably short
time.

Theatre licences issued amount-
ed to 418, three of which were
Suspended temporarily for infrac-
tions, and seven operators were
prosecuted. Of the 808 projection-
ists and 228 apprentices who were
licensed, seven were suspended.
The number of public halls licensed
was 2,235, many of which made
alterations in the interest of
greater safety.

A marked decrease was noted
in the amount of advertising re-
ceived by the board for censor-
ship, apparently due to paper re-
strictions and longer runs. While
39,659 pieces of advertising were
checked last year, only 33,266
were submitted during this fiscal
year, of which 169 were rejected
entirely and 22 allowed after satis-
factory revisions.

Other matters covered by the
report were educational films, let-
ters of protest from organizations
and the work of theatres in war
effort campaigns.

An echo of the recent contro-
versy over swing shift shows was
Mr. Silverthorne’s statement that
“Realizing existing conditions, the
department believes that motion
picture entertainment should be as
accessible as possible to all Cana-
dians, especially those engaged in
war work, and members of the
armed forces.”

Summer Campaign Leaders

Tie ee

BILL SCULLY

NATE BLUMBERG

Universal, with a strong and steady lineup, will challenge the
thermometer by tossing a pile of big ones at the boxoffice in the
next three months. There’ll be no hot weather holdbacks,

REVIEWS
INFORMATION
' RATINGS

Vol. 8, No. 26

COAST-TO-COAST COVERAGE

dune 28, 19438

Good Ones from Fox. V’graph

Universal Offers
Ace Summer List

(Continued from Page 1)
Walter Wanger’s “We've Never
Been licked,” George Waggner’s
Technicolor, “Phantom of the
Opera,” the Abbott and Costello
“Hit the Ice,” Felix Jackson’s
Deanna Durbin-Joseph Cotten co-
starrer, “Hers to Hold,” the Edwin
L. Marin produced-directed “Two
Tickets to London,” starring Mich-
ele Morgan with Alan Curtis, and
“Frontier Bad Men.”

Universal heads feel that pro-
duction plans for the next season
are powerful enough to warrant
releasing finished productions on a
steady schedule. Its current sales
sessions are being devoted to the
1943-44 product.

‘Universal is now in better
shape insofar as powerful screen
entertainment is concerned than
ever before in its existence,” de-
clared Scully, ‘with the result that
we are in a position to maintain
a steady flow of Class A product
to the exhibitors throughout the
summer.” The many important
pictures to be released during the
next 90 days are merely a sample
of what exhibitors may expect
from Universal during the 1948-44
selling season, “for more of the
same type are now in the cutting
rooms, on the sound stages, and
in the process of preparation for
the cameras.”

Pickford Has
Big Plans

Mary Pickford was evidently
very serlous when she announced
during her Toronto visit that she
was working on plans for Girl’s
Town along the lines of Father
Flanagan’s famous Boy’s Town.

Miss Pickford has been in a
huddle with David O. Selznick,
trying to borrow Shirley Temple
for the lead in her projected film,
“Girl's Town,” which she intends
to make at a cost of between
$1,000,000 and $1,500,000. The
famed star may make an appear-
ance in the film, her first since
1984. Norma Taurog may be asked
to direct.

Representatives of all faiths
will be called into consultation.

‘Stormy Weather’ (Fox) Full of Joy

‘Atlantic Action’ (WB) Thrilling

“STORMY WEATHER”

20h CENTURY-FOX
{Running Time: 77 Mins.)

The boxoffice power of all-
Negro films is an open question.
But if ever one will make the
grade in a big way, that one
could easily be “Stormy Weath-
er.” The film is nothing but
entertainment unadulterated by
attempts to give it a fancy
story line. It shouts, sings and
dances its way through a nice
hour-and-a-quarter of cellulold.
Nowhere along the Hne does it
let up.

It’s a splendiferous produc-
tion, every big scene well
mounted, and loaded with old
and new musical favorites
handled by entertainers of gen-
eral popularity. Leading the
latter is Bill Robinson, who
plays the male lead as well as
continuing his symphonies in
shoe leather. Opposite him is
the beautiful and sultry Lena
Horne. Then there’s Cab Callo-
way and his band, Fats Waller,
Ada Brown and Dooley Wilson.
Wilson, who will be remem-
bered for his role in ‘Casa-
blanca,” doesn’t sing.

The flashback method is used
to tell the story. Bill Robinson,
retired trouper, is explaining
the stories behind the photos
in an anniversary issue of 2
theatre magazine. Each photo
provides a unit of the film and
the net result is the history of
modern colored entertainment
in America. Robinson’s share
is that of an _ entertainer’s
struggle for recognition and his
unrequited love for a star, Lena
Horne.

There’s hardly a more amus-
ing way for a film and music
fan to spend some _ time.
“Stormy Weather” was no
simple and uncostly feature to
make and it’s a fair bet that it
will vindicate the time and
expense.

“ACTION IN THE
“NORTH ATLANTIC”
VITAGRAPH
(Running Time: 126 Mins.)
This story of merchant sea-
men, the first one that really
gives them their due, may be
reckoned a little too long for
the best results but it’s sure
loaded with excitement and
grim reality in many places. It
tells two stories, one of the
hardships along the sea route
to Russia and the other about
the lives of the men who man
the ship. On the whole it is a
splendid and revealing account
of the mariners who deliver the

goods.

Most of it is devoted to duels
with submarines and bombers.
After the main characters are
torpedoed and saved after more
than a week adrift, the film
takes you to union headquar-
ters. The men sign on again,
this time for a Murmansk voy-
age. The effect of bombing and
torpedoes is graphically por-
trayed and some of the most
powerful war shots yet offer it
to the audience.

Humphrey Bogart is second
in command of the ship and
carries the main role, plenty of
the footage revolving around
him. Raymond Massey is the
hard-bitten, quiet-spoken skip-
per and Alan Hale and Sam
Levene stand out among the
crew. Others who help are
Minor Watson, J. M. Kerrigan,
Ludwig Stossel, Frank Puglia
and a score more.

Three female characters ap-
pear, Julie Bishop, Ruth Gordon
and Iris Adrian. Their contri-
bution isn’t enough to make up
the variety in sexes necessary
to a picture that long.

“Action in the North At-
lantic” should do a good share
of business, since the subject is
still quite novel and this is the
best treatment of it to date.

Valentino Reissue

Astor Pictures will reissue the
late Rudolph Valentino’s last Unit-
ed Artists picture, “The Eagle,” a
Russian story. Sound, synchroniza-
tion and a musical score have been
added.

Buffalo Sees ‘Spitfire’

Buffalo was the scene last week
of the premiere of Leslie Howard's
most recent picture, “Spitfire,”
which is being released by RKO.
Air Marshal Billy Bishop was

| present,

Sunday Soldier
Shows Carry On

(Continued from Page 1)

14th, at which were present J. J.
Fitzgibbons, president of Famous
Players; Brigadier James Mess;
Col. John A. Cooper, Canadian
Motion Picture Distributors As-
sociation; O. J. Silverthorne, chair-
man of the Ontario Motion Picture
Bureau; T. J. Bragg, Odeon
Theatres; Jules Bernstein; Loew’s
Theatre, and representatives of
the IATSE.

Although Brigadier Mess has
not yet consulted with the Honor-
able J. L. Ralston, Defence Minis-
ter, he expressed himself as pleased
with the results and said that the
Sunday shows would be reviewed
again in October. It is likely that
the October sum-up may lead to
requests for an extension of the
shows to other localities.

It was stated that managers
were quite satisfied with the con-
duct of those who attended. The
military -undertook the job of
ushering and policing and not one
case of disorder was reported.

The various representatives ex-
pressed themselves as being happy
to continue providing their share
of things.

The situation in Edmonton has
not yet been clarified. The Sunday
shows in that city were prevented
by an Alberta statute which con-
fines theatre operation to six days
a week. At the time of his death
the late Premier Aberhart was
seeking a solution. His successor
may issue a favorable decision at
any time.

G. Christie, Operator,
Passes at Winnipeg

Gudmundur Christie, veteran
theatre operator, died at Winnipeg
last week. He has handled Mac's
Theatre for the past 12 years,

Mr. Christie, who was born in
Iceland, had been a resident of
Winnipeg for the past 54 years.
He is survived by his widow and
one son.

Around the Clock

In Salt Lake City, USA, thea-
tres are running shows starting at
8 am, and at midnight for the
swing and graveyard shift war
workers,

OF CANADA LTD.

277 Victoria St.
Toronto

PIONEER

THE 39 STEPS

Madeleine Carrol
Robert Donat

THUNDER OVER
THE CITY

Edward G. Robinson

MICKEY
THE GREAT

Mickey Rooney

*

MONOGRAM

| ESCAPED FROM
THE GESTAPO

Dean Jagger, Mary Brian,
John Carradins

STRANGER FROM
PECOS

Johnny Mack Brown

SPY TRAIN

Richard Travis
Catherine Craig

SARONG GIRL

Ann Corlo
°

Distributed in Canada
through

MONOGRAM
PICTURES

Toronto, Montreal, St. John
Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver

‘Canadian FILM WEEKLY

7 On

SQUARE

He Likes the Movies

Nicest attitude of any movie reviewer, as expressed by his
column title, is that of Ben Lepkin of the Winnipeg Tribune.
Lepkin starts his stint off with “I Like the Movies.”

At the time my eye caught Ben’s pleasing introduction to his
wares, he was musing about something that has interested ex-
hibitors, the durability of “The Great Waltz,” then in its sixth
week at the Rialto—and one of a number of return engagements.
The picture was first shown in Winnipeg in 1988. Since then it
has had some 70 dates in that city.

During its run at the Rialto Manager Dave Safer, who started
“The Great Waltz” off, left for the air force and was replaced by
Dave Rosemond, formerly of Saskatoon.

Outside of “Gone With the Wind” the “Waltz” is the only one
that parallels the book publisher’s best bet, a classic with a
steady sale. Music publishers also benefit from that type of item.
We may be at the beginning of something.

= = =

Over the Earwaves

Somebody swiped Lou Appleby’s car, jacked it up and stole
all the rubber—and ditto Frank O’Byrne of ASN... . The Film
Daily Year Book booted one. In listing the results of its question,
“Which of the newer screen faces do you think rate eventual star-
dom because of the performances in recent pictures?” it lists
Dana Andrews among the female selections. . . . Bill Corum of the
New York Journal-American comes up with one: “I have often
wondered if they couldn’t put moving picture club cars on crack
trains. If they can’t today, there is no doubt that the day will
come when they can.’ Well, there are sea-going circuits so it
could be. ... I learned the other day that there was a newspaper
extra on the streets of Toronto bearing the news of the Jap attack
on Pearl Harbour. Local Chinese were the first to read about it.
The Chinese Times put out 25,000 issues that Sunday. It was the
only paper published on that day.

*

Ww a

Homer Bolivar Potis—Genius

That’s the name of Harry O’Connor’s newest baby—his latest
brain child. But unlike most daddies, Harry is somewhat unhappy
about his little figment.

Harry, of Famous Players publicity department, is quite 2
fellow when it comes to turning out Istenable radio scripts. Of
late O’Connor scripts have been played over the air with much
frequency and OSA ouffits have come after him to share his
characters with them. One well-known American radio editor
for a leading chain suggested that he rewrite her favorite O’Con-
nor opus into a stage comedy to be submitted to George Abbot.

But Harry is unhappy. You see, H. B. Potts, Gs., will make
his debut over the CBC’s Western network out of CKY, Winnipeg.
And he won't hear it because it can’t be picked up here, even by
the CBC.

So if you want to spread a little sunshine in the direction of
O'Connor, you Westerners listen in on July ist and drop us or
Harry a line to tell him how Homer made out.

oa cd =

Fast Changeovers

Quite a stirring incident at the Bloor recently during the run
of “Casablanca.” Three Free French sailors were in the house
and when the French in the night club scene sang their national
anthem in defiance of celebrating Nazis, the French sailors rose
and stood at rigid attention. ...In Winnipeg, I learn through a
letter from Frank Kavanaugh, former 20th Century artist now
in the RCAF, newsboys carry ads of the latest pictures painted
on their aprons, Reminded me that in Los Angeles newsboys’
aprons bear the name of the paper they sell in neon lights. Pro-
tects them at night while hustling papers on the roadway... .
C. C, Bailey, cashier of the Windsor, Grenfell, Saskatchewan, must

have hung up some sort of a record during the Victory Loan. He

sold $21,600 worth—almost half of the local total of $49,500. In

his spare time, too. Grenfell has a population of 750, Can you ©

beat that?

June 28, 1948

Ottawa Vandals
Worry Managers

(Continued from Page 1)
leather seat upholstery slashed by
razor blades or sharp knives,
paper towels stolen by the hun-
dreds during each show, even the
towel cases and receptacles being
ripped off the walls.

Not only the men were at fault,
but in the women’s lounges and
washrooms, lip-stick was smeared
over newly-decorated walls, towels
and receptacles stolen wholesale
and even the taps removed from
the wash basins. The presence of
a matron in the theatre did not
seem to deter the vandais who
waited until she was out of sight
and the damage went on.

The managers also discussed
the difficulty in securing the
proper type of young men as ush-
ers and other personnel since se-
lective service demands were so
heavy. Staffs in Ottawa film
houses have been drastically cut
this year, it was stated, and some
thought that was partially re-
sponsible for the increase in
vandalism.

Secretary Henry Marshall was
in the chair and introduced Leo
Devaney, head of RKO in Canada,
who addressed the meeting.

Holiday Switch
Tangles Plans

(Continued from Page 1)
their pencils down. Holiday pro-
grams had been filled in and there
was a frantic rush to reshuffle
product so that things might carry
on in good order.

Many theatre managers, in keep-
ing with special local celebrations,
had prepared advertising copy
which had to be yanked out of
the printers half done. Not ail
communities in the midst of such

preparations have agreed to cancel —

their plans. Some may observe the
traditional day in the matter of
work stoppage and scheduled
events, others may holiday on the
date designated by Ottawa and
celebrate on the old date.

Mayor Charles Daley of St.
Catharines, Ontario, said that un-
less the government gave a good
reason for the change that city
would go ahead with its plans for
a July 5th celebration. No reason
was given with Ottawa’s edict but
it is thought that the govern-
ment’s desire to save gasoline and
curtail train and bus travel might
be behind the change.

There is a general acceptance of
the order and the industry will
have to go over things to make
them come out right.

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June 28, 1948

Canadian FILM WEEKLY

Page &

The Nature of Fire Safety

RDINARILY statistics are un-
interesting. However, some are
necessary if you are to obtain an
essential perspective of the enter-
tainment industry in Ontario. In
presenting these statistics, I prom-
ise you they will not approach
astronomical proporfions, but I
assure you they will be of value.
The Theatre Inspection Branch
of the Ontario Government, the
Department which I have the
honour to direct, has particularly
concerned itself with the physical
condition of 418 theatres (all
operating) situated in centres with
varying degrees of protection,
ranging from the volunteer bri-
gade to the highly trained profes-
sional fire fighters; for the condi-
tion of 2235 public halls, centres
of activity in villages and cities
from one end of the province to
the other; for the training and
education of 1200 motion picture
projectionists, and finally for the
safety of approximately 2,000,000
persons who weekly attend places
of amusement in Ontario.

The provision of entertainment
through motion picture censor-
ship; the condition and operation
of halls and theatres; the training
of projectionists are all of import-
ance in the Department’s scheme
of things, but of the utmost im-
portance is the safety of the audi-
ences ranging from children to
aged adults. While it is true the
balance sheet of the amusement
companies may be of the utmost
concern to the companies, I am
certain I will have no difficulty in
securing your assent to the de-
partmental policy which places
human lives before all else.

The history of the Department,
and its achievements which are
regarded as exceptional by com-
petent authorities, is, I believe,
largely responsible for the fortu-
nate position in which the industry
finds itself today. I think I can
give you the assurance that the
industry in Canada is qualified to
meet any possible emergencies
arising during this global war.

* 2 a
N ACCIDENT in St. Catharines
in 1910 which resulted in the
death of a motion picture operator
was a factor in bringing about the
establishment of the Theatre In-
spection Branch, I am told.

At the time, the motion picture
industry was in its infancy. Thea-
tre owners built as they saw fit,
guided only by local building by-
laws of a general character. The
home of entertainment was still
the Town Hall for its travelling
players and the theatre for the
larger centres. There were few,
who, thirty years ago, could visu-
alize the expansion of the motion
picture industry to its present
state. The operator in St. Cath-
arines who lost his life entered

The Problem of Fire Prevention in Theatres,
As Explained by O. J. Silverthorne, Ontario
Chairman, Is Worth Studying

his primitive booth through a trap
door by means of a ladder. When
the fire broke out, he had none
of the present day modern appli-
ances to quench the flames and his
means of egress was cut off.

There has been one theatre fire
of consequence in Canada during
a quarter of a century. This was
the fire in Montreal which re-
sulted in the death of so many
children. I would remind you that
the subsequent inquiry revealed
that the appalling loss of life was
due to panic and to the absence
of safety regulations as we know
them today. Reviewing conditions
as they now exist, and I can only
speak for Ontario, I would say
there isn’t a theatre which could
not be emptied of its patrons long
before a fire could make even
minor progress.

We were just organized when
the Great War of 1914 broke out.
With the war came restrictions
on building and as a result the
development of the motion picture
industry dates from the close of
the war in 1918. Since then, there
has been neither loss of life, nor
serious property damage. During
the last decade, a period involving
the extremes of poverty and pros-
perity, the problems of the Depart-
ment necessarily were multiplied,
if by nothing else than the natural
growth of the industry.

At present, reports of theatrical
interests show the largest attend-
ance since they have become re-
cognized as a factor in the social
and economic life of the Province.
Consequently, you will agree that
the tasks of the Department are
the heaviest since its establish-
ment.

How is the Department measur-
ing up to the responsibilities? In
answering the query, I tell you of
entertainment with safety. I would
hope that my report will meet with
your approval; I would hope also
that out of what I have to tell
you, you will find something lack-
ing. If so, you will be able, I trust,
to offer suggestions which will
make the several hundred theatres
and still larger number of public
halls safer for those who patronize
them.

Safety by the elimination of
the cause of fires, fear and panic
to the patrons of the theatres and
public halls has been our objective
at all times. To maintain this
feeling of safety and security the
Department works night and day
to determine that every possible
fire hazard has been eliminated
even in the most remote areas of
the Province.

against totally is PANIC. The De-
partment is continually devising
means of meeting this menace.

Recently, in co-operation with
theatrical interests, a “Safety
Trailer” was produced and is now
being exhibited in every licensed
theatre. This tells the audience
what to do in case of emergency.
Attention is drawn to exits and
how they are designated. Patrons
are instructed to WALK—not run
to them. It tells also that the staff
is qualified and trained to meet
any emergency.

When war broke out, it was
feared there might be interrup-
tions to electric services in the
theatres. All theatres were ordered
to install emergency lighting sys-
tems. It was felt that a panic
might arise if audiences without
apparent reason were suddenly
forced to sit in darkness and com-
pelled to remain there some length
of time.

Just how easy it would be to
leave a theatre in case of emergen-
cy is revealed by the regulation
which compels all theatres to be
equipped with doors which open
outward. All exit doors may be
opened with panic bars which
operate with a slight downward
pressure of the hand or body. All
areas leading to these exits, in-
cluding aisles, are well lighted as
are the court-yards outside. Stairs
in public buildings have always
been considered a danger, and now
wherever possible ramps are being
installed.

Few people ever regard the
furnace room and air-conditioning
plant as of vital importance to the
safety of the patron. The furnace
room must be constructed of brick
or concrete with entrance by a fire
door which is automatically con-
trolled. The fuel is stored in a
separate fire resistive room and
separated by a metal door from
the furnace. Ventilation of this
room is afforded to the open air,
thus assuring a plentiful supply of
fresh air and guarding against a
back draft.

+ ~ -

AM sure the projection suite is

now as fire-resistive as is pos-
sible. This all important section
in the motion picture theatre is
considered the most likely fire
hazard of the building, but now,
the projection suite is such that
even if a minor blaze broke out,
the room can be shut off from
the auditorium in the fraction of
a second. You must remember that
film is highly inflammable and

CG
i greatest menace and one
which cannot be guarded

>gzhould a fire start in the projection
room there must be some provi-
sion to prevent it from spreading
to the other parts of the building.

The room for this reason must
be constructed of steel and con-
crete and equipped with metal clad
doors controlled by automatic clos-
ing devices. All openings to the
auditerium are protected by metal
shutters which may be dropped
either individually or collectively
in the case of fire. Ventilation is
supplied to the open air to carry
off smoke and fumes.

Every projection suite Is equip-
ped with a number of fire exting-
ulishers and we have insisted upon
the use of insulated sectional film
cabinets to protect the highly in-
flammable film. All furniture such
as tables, chairs, and so forth, are
of metal, leaving only the film as
the source of fire.

o xt s

A aac the regulation requiring

matrons to be in attendance
during children’s matinees has
been in effect for years, it is not
until recently that it has been
strictly enforced. This has been
accomplished by the Department
with the co-operation of the indus-
try, municipal authorities and wel-
fare organizations. Parents can
now send their children to the
theatre knowing that they are well
supervised and that every precau-
tion is taken for their safety and
conduct.

co) 2 z

1) fem the year seven theatres

were prosecuted, mainly for
overcrowding. Three theatre
licenses and seven projectionists’
licenses were suspended for vari-
ous infractions of the Theatre
Regulations. Three public hall
licenses were also suspended upon
the advice of the Provincial Police
or the local officials of the mu-
nicipalities in which the hall was
located.

As I stressed earlier, our first
duty is the protection of our citi-
zens and from the theatre inspec-
tion viewpoint, for which I speak,
our primary concern is the provi-
sion of such safety measures that
the services of the fire fighters
shall as far as is humanly possible,
not be necessary. I can assure you
gentlemen, however, that just as
a business man feels much more
comfortable when he has a sub-
stantial balance in the bank, so
we feel much happier when we
know that an efficient fire fighting
organization is operating.

I may say that in carrying out
our safety measures, we have en-
deavored to be as reasonable as
possible with the entertainment
operators who have their own in-
dividual problems, and I, as direc-
tor of the Department, would like to
express my thanks to them for the
co-operation they have extended.

a Siny § >

oe
aA

The

Payoff”

The

Are

| Yanks
Coming

with

HENRY KING
and
HIS. ORCHESTRA

and

Mary Healy, Little

Heller, Dorothy Dare, Slapsy
Maxie Rosenbloom and

Parkyakarkus

*

MR. EXHIBITOR—Screen
picture and you'll go home
humming these tunes:

Don’t Fool Around With My

Heart
Zip Your Lip

I Must Have Priorities On

Your Love
*

—Coming—

CORREGIDOR

*

Producers Releasing
Corporation

LIMITED

Executive Offices:
277 Victoria St., Toronto, 2, Ont.

GTi

PRC Releases
2 Hits for June

Payoti

Rated by Cosmopolitan Maga-
zine as a “must see.” Read
the reviewers’ payoff on “The

Canadian FILM WEEKLY

Help the Greeks!

Thousands of Greeks are dying from
starvation. Please help send food, medicines,
supplies by sending donation to

GREEK WAR

RELIEF FUND

IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Or any Branch of the Royal Bank of Canada

Canadian food is stemming starvation in Greece
Please help. Send donation to GREEK WAR RELIEF FUND

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

or ony branch of the Royo! Bank of Canada

Starving Greeks are depending on you
Please send

donation to

GREEK WAR RELIEF FUND

IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Or any Branch of the Royal Bank of Canada

Food is urgently needed in starving Greece
Please help. Send donation to GREEK WAR RELIEF FUND

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Greece is depending on
Canadian Food...

Send donation to GREEK
WAR RELIEF FUND

IN YOUR COMMUNITY or
Any branch of the Royo! Bonk
of Conado

or any branch of the Royal Bank of Canodo

Help send food to Greece
Send donation to

GREEK WAR RELIEF
FUND

IN YOUR COMMUNITY of
Any bronch of the Royal Bank
of Conoda

Use the Above Drop-ins or Add Your Own
To Theatre Ads. Posters for Display
Can Be Had at Fox Exchanges

ASN Montreal Fire

Fire in the 16 mm. printing
department of Associated Screen
News in Montreal caused ill effects
for four staff members. Some film
was lost.

Have you any used
equipment around your
theatres. Send us a list and
we will clear it out for you!

There is satisfaction in
buying at the right prices.
May we quote you-——yes,
on anything which you can
think of!

‘Newsreel’ to'Victory’

The Newsreel Theatre, Montreal,
has changed policy and will go
back to regular programs, mainly
reissues. The name has _ been
changed to the “Victory.”

WE 20. OR MORE
OF FOUR MONE ¢

DOMINION THEATLE ECUINMENT CO
+7 OMe SF wirmeccemie a €

June 28, 1943

| Farrow Debated

In Parliament.

(Centinued frem Page 1)
Macdonald, Minister of National
Defence for Naval Services. Far-
row was brought into it when the
minister pointed out that Mr.
Church, a consistent critic in
naval affairs, had ‘‘never liked this
officer for some reason or an-
other,” because he had frequently
asked questions about him.

Once, the minister recalled,
when a naval college was pro-
posed, Mr. Church had offered “a
very gratuitous jibe” at Lieute-
nant Farrow by saying: “I sup-
pose the minister will announce
the appointment of Lieutenant
Farrow as commandant of the
college.”

“We have to go to Hollywood
to get a man to compile a history
of the Canadian navy,” Mr. Church
said in replying. “The press gal-
lery of the house and our news-
paper offices contain many men
who have forgotten more about
this matter than this gentleman
ever knew. ... The government
was not satisfied with this one in-
stance; they brought a lot of
people from Hollywood to film
shows for our silent fleet and sent
them across Canada to tell us
about the navy.”

Mr. Church quoted a return on
Lieutenant Farrow, which revealed
the following information:

(1) Lieutenant Farrow had acted
as controller of naval information.

(2) He had offered his services
in case of emergency to the navy
in 1986.

(83) He had received only the
usual pay and allowances.

(4) As controller of naval in-
formation his duties included cen-
sorship in collaboration with the
director of naval intelligence; com-
pilation of various reports on
naval activities and of 2 war
diary; preservation and tabulation
of sources for historical purposes;
organization and administration of
the photographic section of the
navy; and Maison duties connected
with press, radio and motion
pictures.

The return described Lieutenant
Farrow as an author, historian
and film director of exceptional
ability and stated that the navy
had been in urgent need of a
qualified officer to take over the
duties of naval information and
naval historian.

Farrow, husband of Maureen
O'Sullivan, was discharged from
the Royal Canadian Navy last
year because of ill health. Since
then he directed “Wake Island,’
“The Commandos Strike at Dawn”
and “Chine.” He has been praised
as highly efficient, courageous and
sincere by many who knew him
while with the navy.

EE EEE eee ee ee

June 28, 1948

NFB Released

Two New Ones

Currently released for general
distribution are the two latest Na-
tional Film Board short subjects,
“Thought for Food” and ‘War for
Men’s Minds”. The former, issued
under the Canada Carries On
series, is a treatment of the diet
and nutrition problems being in-
vestigated by Canadian research
workers and the application of
scientific findings by the Canadian
housewife. The new care being

given to the selection of correct
foods for a balanced diet being
practiced in Canada today is con-
trasted with inadequate diets that
undermined health so drastically
during the last depression.

“War for Men’s Minds,” released
in “World in Action” series, is a
documentary treatment of psycho-
logical warfare and 2a survey of
how the present war of nerves is
being carried on. It illustrates the
effect with which Hitler’s favorite
weapon, psychological warfare, is
being turned against him by the
Allied nations, through the me-
diums of a free press, radio and
film industry.

Latest newsreels issued by the
National Film Board are “Spruce
Story”, “Coal Story”, “Sheep
Story” and “Cattle Story”. The
last two will be shown within the
next two weeks to the average
weekly audience consisting of one
hundred million theatre patrons
who see these newsreels in Canada
and the United States.

Recruiter

nhl ONAL RRC” SOE OBB RET IS
mig - iad

JACK NELSON

Manager of the Capitol, North
Bay, Ontario, who was com-
mended by the army for his
recruiting work.

Canadian FILM WEEKLY

_—_———

Page 7T

An important reminder

about

YOUR INCOME
TAX RETURNS

RN

JUNE 30>

IS THE DEADLINE
for

A All 1942 Individual T. 1

Returns.

IB AW #1942 Excess Profits Tax
Returns of Proprietorships

and Partnerships.

© All 1942 T. 2 Income and Ex-

cess Profits Tax Returns by

~ Corporations whose fiscal year
ended 3lst December, 1942.

—— EMPLOYERS

HAVE YOU given your em-
ployees their copies of your T. 4 Sup-
plementary slips, so that they may
complete and make their Income
Tax Returns by the 30th of June?

MAKE RETURNS NOW — AVOID PENALTIES

DOMINION OF CANADA — DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL REVENUE
INCOME TAX DIVISION

COLIN GIBSON
Minister of National Reveave

C. FRASER ELLIOTT
Commissioner of Income Tax

{Army Honors

ee ee

Jack Nelson

Further recognition by military
authorities of the work done by
Jack Nelson of North Bay, On-
tario, manager of the Capitol
Theatre, as chairman of the Nipis-
sing District Citizens’ Recruiting
Committee over a lengthy period,
came last week in his appointment
as civilian recruiting adviser for
Military District No. 2.

Various military men have is-
sued commendations concerning
the efforts made and _ results
achieved by Nelson and his com-
mittee during the past two or
three years. This latest recogni-
tion is in a letter from Maj.-Gen.
Cc. F. Constantine, Toronto, dis-
trict officer commanding Mulitary
District No. 2, and an accompany-
ing certificate signed by the dis-
trict officer commanding and by
the Canadian director of army re-
cruiting. Emblematic of Mr. Nel-
son’s new Office is a lapel button.

The letter from Maj.-Gen. Con-
stantine states: “The district re-
cruiting officer tells me that he
has received splendid co-operation
from you every time he has asked
for your help. He also informs me
that your activities not only ex-
tend to helping with recruiting but
also many other things with re-
gard to the army, including aux-
iliary services and welfare and in
fact never yet have you been
called upon or asked to do some-
thing or even of your own free will
have seen something to be done
that you have not done it with
splendid results.’

Military District No. 2, for
which Nelson is now civilian re-
cruiting adviser, takes in a huge
Northern area from Orillia to the
Far North and from Sault Ste.
Marie to points a _ considerable
distance east of North Bay.

That much work and time are
necessary in Mr. Nelson’s new role
is evidenced by the vast amount
of correspondence in his hands
dealing with every phase of re-
cruiting and all angles of a sol-
dier’s life from the pre-enlistment
period to the rehabilitation bene-
fits after the soldier steps out of
the uniform.

Humphrey Lectures to
Grenfell Club

The Homemakers’ Club of Gren-
fell, Saskatchewan, heard H. S.
Humphrey, manager of the Wind-
sor Theatre, lecture last week on
the motion picture industry, cover-
ing contracting, booking, ship-
ping, revising and exhibition. A
roll call was taken of the favorite
motion picture of each person
present and the exhibitor was able
to provide some interesting detail
in connection with each.

° " raise S Cc
~-% Otny waste SF «
. 4"
° 4 r eh

HUNT STROMBERG delivers a new

winner...the kind that made him Fame’s 3
Champion Producer...won him greatest number of ,
Boxoffice’s Blue Ribbons!

“at gas joan BARBARA STANWYCK in "LADY OF BURLESQUE”
yo with MICHAEL O'SHEA ang 5. EOWARD BROMBERG * CHARLES DINGLE * FRANK CONROY * GLORIA DICKSON
ae MARION MARTIN © IRIS ADRIAN * VICTORIA FAUST * PINKY LEE* PRANK FENTON * JANIS CARTER * EDDIE GORDON

sf Directed by WILLIAM A. WELLMAN - a nunr stromperc propucrion

"hy Bosed on the Best-Selling Novel “G-STRING MURDERS” by GYPSY ROSE LEE

record in Spi
heaviest rains:

NORFOLK—Held over

to accommodate record

rowds!

CLEVELAND—held over!

Never a hit like it!

+=